| Raising a daughter is one of the most | | | | rewarding her with an extra fifteen minutes |
| delightful and rewarding experiences anyone | | | | since she was responsible enough to come home |
| can hope for. Girls tend to be less active, | | | | on time during the previous two months. As a |
| less aggressive, and less mischievous than | | | | teen, I'd be a bit discouraged. |
| their male counterparts. Sure, they tend to | | | | |
| be more emotional at times and can be bossy | | | | Here are a few ways to promote maturity, |
| with their friends, but I'd take that any day | | | | responsibility, and good character from your |
| over the alternative. | | | | teen daughter: |
| | | | |
| As wonderful and gratifying as it is raising | | | | Notice and acknowledge these positive traits |
| a daughter, there comes a time when that | | | | whenever possible. |
| lovable little girl transforms into a | | | | |
| teenager. That's when the pleasure of raising | | | | Loosen up on restrictions when these positive |
| a beautiful little girl suddenly turns into | | | | qualities are demonstrated. |
| the anguish of raising a temperamental | | | | |
| teenager. Many new issues arise during the | | | | Avoid focusing so much on the negative |
| teen years. Dating, driving, peer pressure | | | | behavior and try to focus more on the |
| and preparing for the future are just a few | | | | positive. |
| of the issues facing teens and their parents | | | | |
| during the teen years. | | | | Make sure the consequence fits the behavior. |
| | | | Avoid giving major consequences for minor |
| Just how much make-up should a teenage girl | | | | infractions. |
| be allowed to wear? Is it okay for a teen | | | | |
| girl to wear clothes that might be considered | | | | Be a positive role model. You may not notice, |
| provocative? Should a teen girl be allowed to | | | | but your teen daughter is watching you and |
| date a boy that is more than two years older | | | | learning a lot by doing so. |
| than her? What should her curfew be? | | | | |
| | | | It's never too late to teach positive values |
| These are just a few of the issues that the | | | | and good character, though the sooner you |
| parents of teenager girl are confronted with | | | | begin the better. |
| each day and the answers to each of these | | | | |
| questions will vary considerably depending | | | | Encourage your daughter to do volunteer work |
| upon the personality, character, and maturity | | | | in the community. You might also want to get |
| of the girl in question. There are many | | | | her involved in a pro-social club, group, or |
| fourteen year old girls out there that | | | | activity (even athletics). |
| demonstrate a higher level of responsibility | | | | |
| and maturity than their eighteen year old | | | | Become connected to your teen. Spend time and |
| counterparts yet aren't afforded the same | | | | develop a trusting rapport with her. |
| privileges simply because of their lower age. | | | | |
| | | | Talk to her about the issues that affect her: |
| As a parent, it is important to acknowledge | | | | dating, driving, peer pressure, etc. Don't |
| and reward maturity, responsibility, and good | | | | lecture her but instead provide her with |
| character. This can sometimes be difficult, | | | | useful advice, including your own personal |
| especially because parents tend to punish | | | | experiences. |
| negative behavior more often than they reward | | | | |
| positive behavior. Most parents, it seems, | | | | Talk, talk, talk! Find out what thoughts, |
| would rather ground their daughter for | | | | concerns, hopes, and feelings are influencing |
| missing curfew by ten minutes instead of | | | | your daughter each day. |